2015-16 topped expectations
Published in the June 24, 2016 edition
UNDEFEATED CHAMPS and State silver medalist MHS cross country team had another outstanding season in 2015. (file photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—With summer officially started, it’s time to take a final look at the 2015-16 local sport scene; a year capped by another Super Bowl appearance for the MHS Red Raider football team at Gillette Stadium, and some undefeated seasons by varsity teams such as gymnastics, cross country and volleyball, who all gave local sports fans plenty to watch during the year.
Collective hearts were broken when the Melrose Red Raider football once again earned a trip to the Div. 3 Super Bowl, but fell 26-21 after holding a one time 14-6 lead. That finished a historical, first ever 12-0 season for Melrose, and unforgettable memories for fans. Some of their best wins included their comeback victory over Concord Carlisle to take the D3 NW title and their victory over Danvers that punched their ticket to Gillette. While many talented players graduate, Melrose returns with super star Mike Pedrini next season so there really is next year. (Keep it up Red Raiders, we’re getting used to this).
The always talented Melrose girls volleyball (21-3) earned their millionth league title this year, remained 16-0 in the league, but fell shy of a Div. 2 North appearance. They did however, beat Newton North: the Div. 1 State champ and white whale of state competition. Melrose senior captain Marisa Cataldo earned All-State honors for her work over the season.
The undefeated Melrose boys’ cross country team has become a bit of a local dynasty by securing their third straight league title, their third straight State Final appearance and a silver medal at the Div. 4 States on Nov 14, thanks to top finishes by Kevin Wheelock (2nd), Adam Cook and Sean Conlan. Good news, all three, plus teammate Griffin Barris, return next fall, with hopes of a four-peat. On the girls side, senior Elizabeth Hirsch beat just about everyone, and earned All Star honors and statewide qualification.
The golf team saw Mike Shea take the ML shootuout while Matt Cornelius had the shot of his life from the roof of the Mt Hood clubhouse that helped Melrose secure a win over Belmont. MHS girls’ soccer finished strong and clinched a playoff spot and despite losing 3-2 in the opening round, scared the daylights out of Marblehead.
The MHS field hockey team earned the esteemed MIAA Sportsmanship award when they honored the Watertown field hockey team for its 154 straight victory, a new national record, during Melrose’s 6-0 loss against Watertown on October 22. (Well, someone had to play them!) For their efforts, Melrose field hockey was saluted by the MIAA for their grace and class while also putting together a competitive 2015 season.
The MHS gymnastics team, headed by coach Denise Valdez, pulled off another undefeated season by taking out Winchester in an epic showdown on February 1, earning them their sixth league title in seven years. They also qualified for Sectionals with a collective point total of 138.54.
2015 was the year for Melrose swim. Both teams had their best seasons in over a decade. The girls’ team featured an impossibly-talented group of underclass swimmers who helped break a 200 freestyle relay, 400 free relay and 200 free record. And the boys team had another record breaking year, smashing the 200 free relay record and the 100 backstroke (by league champ Joe Connolly).
Winter saw more teams enter playoffs. Both MHS basketball teams proved tough and earned trips to the playoffs. Led by juniors Alexis Doherty and T’Mahri Mercer and a slew of talented juniors, both the boys and girls teams could be contenders for league titles in 2017. Melrose girls hockey also clinched a playoff spot and showed no signs of decline in the coming years, while the boys team proved a rebuilding one. Lady Raiders Saoirse Connolly, Jill Mercer and Rachel DiFraia of the East Coast Wizards became National Champs in the U-16 Tier 2 hockey division when they beat Alaska, 2-1. Local swimmer Ellie Walsh of Melrose qualified for the 2016 Junior National Showcase Cup where she medaled in 4 events. MHS wrestlers Patrick Whelan and Antonio DiFronzo became league champs in their weight class while DiFronzo and Steve MacIntosh were among Melrose’s last men standing at All-States.
Over at Malden Catholic, Melrose’s Ian Dolaher became the Div. 3 state champion in the high jump and advanced to Nationals. The Lancers also avenged last year’s Super 8 loss to St. John’s Prep when they beat them 2-1 on March 23 at the TD Garden. The team included former Melrosian Corey Goldstein.
On the track, two Melrose alums became All-American in track and field. Olivia Downey and Lilah Drafts Johnson earned All American status in track and field for their colleges, Merrimack and Oberlin, respectively. Both were recent MHS gradates and high school track and field stars.
When the snow melt, the spring sport teams came out fast and furious. The Melrose boys’ tennis team went 9-0 in the league, earning their first sole ML title in 70 years and advancing in postseason to quarterfinals. In the end, five MHS spring sports qualified for playoffs: boys’ tennis, softball, baseball, girls and boy’s lacrosse, who all return talent in 2017. The playoff highlight included the girls lacrosse team’s major stunner over #2 seed Manchester Essex. The boys and girls track also teams crowned two league champs in Kevin Wheelock and Elizabeth Hirsch and sent dozens to States where Hirsch, Ann Morrison and Haley Moss medaled and qualified for All States.
There were no Gronk sightings this spring at Fred Green Field in Melrose. The Robert Gronkowski Football Training Camp for kids moved to Woburn High. Let’s fix that in 2017, Melrose!
Finally: Happy trails to you, Pat Ruggiero. Melrose High’s Athletic Director built a great athletic program over 10 years in what can be a thankless job. Enjoy your retirement. To that end, welcome new Melrose High Athletic Director, Steve Fogarty. The MHS asst. vice principal and former varsity coach takes the reigns this summer in what should prove a seamless transition.
To readers: enjoy your summer, the Rio Olympics and see you in the fall!
Jennifer Gentile
Sports Editor
